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Thursday, May 14, 2009

Bountiful ornaments, display sets, from the wacky videotapes to the abacus, flasks & potteries and even a classic wash basin from days of yore ....... (P/S : Spot the menu?)

You wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end of the falling bicycle !!

Thanks be to foodies-extraordinaires; Jason & WMW (hehe), I relived my childhood days at Otak-Otak Place @ Tropicana Mall. Nope, not the darker side of my past (those dark, turbulent,scarring days of youth) but instead, referring to the simpler, happier times when politicians a-bickering did not reach cult status (=P), that black gold liquid was priced at merely RM1.20 or so, and picnicking by the lake/beach/river was not ridiculed at.

Happy Family - Though I've completely forgotten the rules of the game. Why don't they create a digital version for the third-gen consoles? =)

Rekindle .... Your Passion. Otak-Otak Roll @ RM5.50 per serving.

They really put in tonnes of effort, 'memerah otak' (pun intended) to reminisce the games, gadgets and utensils of Good Ol' Days

Purchase one of these, and suck away your sorrow ......

Otak-Otak Place is the brainchild of the people who run Pick & Brew, over at One Utama. Ironically, this outlet at Tropicana Mall is the second one, the first was opened at One Utama (where else? =P) last year.

Specializing in mostly Malay dishes and snacks, the repertoire of otak-otak (every variety imaginable, really) are impressive, from the rolls to the fried, and steamed to the traditional ones. Now they're running a promotion for the Otak-Otak Sticks, priced at only 60 cents each. Resembling Johor's Otak-otak Kempas (click HERE for the review last year), albeit spicier, with heavier 'santan' (coconut milk) taste. The other choice we picked was the Otak-Otak roll, fish paste with herbs and spices rolled in between thin egg crepes, then dipped into the sambal for that extra kick. Slightly oily, but a satisfactory snack nonetheless.

The much raved about Selera Jaya 223 @ Jalan 223, PJ - Packed with people late into the night .....

Contender #1 (Red Corner) - Nasi Lemak Panas Yati (Gerai 6)

The RM1.20 per packet nasi lemak at this place has almost reached legendary status. People from all walks of life, near and far, flocked to this unassuming 'medan selera' located opposite the Amway factory on Jalan 223, Petaling Jaya. And you'll be hard-pressed not to find any patrons indulging (obsessively) on their packets of nasi lemak, be it from the RED or BLUE corner.

Fully prepared to down at least 2 packets of those piping hot packets of nasi lemak, freshly wrapped at the kitchen, continuously to cater to the crowd.

Once seated, just ask for the nasi lemak, and they'll bring them over in a jiffy. Take note that there are TWO brands from TWO different stalls, packing their products freshly, and dishing them out to the hungry crowd.

The RED one belongs to Gerai No 6, Yati - A preferred choice, with various positive reviews in general. Hence, I reached out for my 1st packet. Wrapped in banana leaf and newspaper, the heat could be felt from the outside, a positive sign surely. Who doesn't dread those cold, lonely packets of (possibly stale!) nasi lemak elsewhere?

Served with half a boiled egg, and sambal ikan bilis (anchovies), the portion could barely satiate a child, let alone a famished Motormouth. Tastewise? The sambal was spicy, the rice was steaming hot, but that was about it. A serious lack in fragrance & flavour, as I could barely detect a whiff of aromatic 'santan'. The sambal ikan bilis was fiery, but the anchovies were soft and chewy. And NO onions for that sweet taste and NO cucumbers either.

Contender #2 (BLUE corner) - Nasi Lemak Panas Suri (Gerai 2)

Uh-oh. Bad start. Let's see how the challenger fared. The BLUE corner belongs to Suri, with an appearance resembling Yati's, albeit with words stamped in blue.

Wetter and sweeter sambal, but same old crunch-less anchovies,and half a boiled egg

Also priced at RM1.20, Suri's version also arrived piping hot, almost scalding to the roof of one's mouth. Be cautious, spoon them slowly, and enjoy. Or NOT.

Suffering the same fate as Yati's, the nasi lemak had only a very faint hint of coconut milk, with a more watery sambal with ikan bilis. The sambal was sweeter, perfect for children or those not in favour of extra heat. The gravy reminded me of canned sardine's tomato sauce, really.

Otak-Otak Kempas also available as sides, but to avoid an overdose of otak-otak, we restrained ourselves

Verdict? Not something I'll be returning for. But the dirt cheap price, and the fact that the nasi lemak is freshly-packed, are reasons enough for fans to return again and again ......

30 comments:

the otak plc..serious? same owner as Pick n Brew? Jackson himself?as for the NL, aiyoo..aft all tht raves..mz be our Northern tastebuds la, alws on the higher end of the spectrum ;p Mine r like tht too..lol

I remember the bright orange bubble gum (left to the jar of Chuppa Chup)...i remember how I used to beg my dad for 10 sen everyday just to go to the Indian shop nextdoor for my daily dose. Actually it tasted powdery but back then, it was a BIG thing. Hahahaha...and now i remember those glue tube where we use a tiny straw to blow those balloons.

Wa, u hd dark scarring days of youth ar..? poor thing! Eh , promo on the otak2 sounds amazing and the shots of the nasi lemak too. Since we hvnt met up yet... Lets go eat nasi lemak one day la, at 223;) this is d one KY blogged about rite?

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Who's Motormouth?

I hail from Ipoh, Perak with a strong desire to share the best of Malaysian food, and the endless chapters of my personal travel stories. Currently writes at www.j2kfm.com. And I am residing in KL/PJ now.